Softball Splits with Carson-Newman

MARS HILL, N.C. - The Mars Hill softball team split a South Atlantic Conference doubleheader with Carson-Newman, holding on for a 6-5 victory in the opener before dropping the nightcap 5-1. Mars Hill is 5-14 and 1-5 in the league; Carson-Newman is 21-7 and 6-2.

Game 1: Mars Hill 6, Carson-Newman 5

The Lions scored six runs in the first two innings and stranded 10 Carson-Newman runners for their first conference win of 2015.

Following an Aleshia Peek single to begin the Lion first inning, Taylor Caviness reached on an Eagle error. A wild pitch moved the runners up, with Peek scoring as Carson-Newman catcher Hayley Burnette's throw hit Robyn Stanek in the back and dribbled away. A Jamie Booze base hit plated Caviness for a 2-0 Lion lead after an inning.

Kaitlin Pritchett reached on a one out double in the Eagle second inning and scored on a Burnett base hit to get the visitors on the scoreboard. Following a walk and single that loaded the bases, Elayna Siebert hit a three-run double to give the Eagles a 4-2 lead.

Mars Hill answered with a four-run inning in the home half of the inning. Peek reached on a two out double, followed by a hit batter. A Carson-Newman error allowed Peek to score before Erin Vickery followed with a three-run home run for a 6-4 Lion lead after the first two innings.

The Lions had a chance to add to their lead in the third with the bases loaded and one out, but a popout and groundout ended the threat. Carson-Newman cut the lead to a run in the fourth thanks to a Bri Lockett home run. The Eagles had a chance to tie the contest with a runner on first followed by a Burnette double, but Peek, Melissa Garcia, Booze and Vickery teamed up to retire Danielle Kranz at the plate to end the inning.

Carson-Newman stranded a pair of runners in the sixth and had its leadoff runner reach to begin the seventh, but a pair of strikeouts followed by a single and a foul out ended the game.

Peek went two-for-three with a single, double and two runs scored. Shelby Culler went two-for-three with two singles. Vickery went one-for-two with a home run and three RBI. For Carson-Newman, Siebert went three-for-three with three doubles to tie a school record.

Culler earned her third win of the season, allowing five runs on eight hits with three walks and four strikeouts in five innings. Chelsea Broughman recorded her first save as she allowed two hits with a walk and four strikeouts in two innings. Sarah Howard took the loss after she allowed six runs, one earned, on four hits with a walk and two strikeouts in 1.2 innings. Carson-Newman outhit the Lions 10-8 but committed four errors.

Game 2: Carson-Newman 5, Mars Hill 1

Carson-Newman batted around and scored five runs in the fifth inning while the Lions mustered four hits in the game.

Aleshia Peek put Mars Hill on top with a solo home run in the third inning.

Bri Lockett tied the game for the visitors with a home run to lead off the fifth inning. Following a fielder's choice and a hit batter, the Eagles hit four straight singles to plate four runs before the Lions stopped the bleeding with a pair of flyouts to end the inning.

Jamie Booze gave the hosts their third hit of the game with a single down the right field line with one out in the seventh inning. After a fielder's choice, Taylor Lail hit a pinch hit single to give the Lions runners on first and second. A deep flyout from Patricia Thompson would end the game.

Peek went one-for-two with a home run, run scored, stolen base and RBI. Booze, Lail and Ellen Tillman each singled for the Lions.

Lindsay Dean threw a complete game for the win as she allowed one run on four hits with three walks and four strikeouts. Taylor Hussey took the loss, allowing three runs on seven hits with four walks and a strikeout in four innings.

Mars Hill welcomes Coker to Ponder Field on Saturday for a 1 p.m. contest. The Lions will have a short turnaround, facing Catawba at home in a Sunday doubleheader at 2 p.m.